Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee concedes that Chelsea will have a fitness edge in the race for the Premier League title ahead of the sides’ blockbuster meeting on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte will go head-to-head in a hotly anticipated clash of styles, with Chelsea having recently displaced early front-runners City at the top of the league thanks to seven straight victories in the Italian’s favoured 3-4-3 system.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says the club’s absence from European competition has helped them to the top of the Premier League. The side have a one-point lead over Liverpool and Manchester City and can keep their place at the top with victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes the battle for the Premier League title this season is ‘perhaps the most difficult one ever’. The Blues rose to the summit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday, with the Londoners being closely pursued by Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, while Manchester United are currently nine points off the pace in sixth place.
Antonio Conte is already looking forward to Chelsea’s next match against Tottenham after watching his side edge to a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Sunday. Diego Costa prodded home the only goal of the match at the Riverside Stadium just before half time as the Blues made it six Premier League victories – and six clean sheets – in a row.
Belgium forward Eden Hazard took the plaudits after a superb two-goal display in the 5-0 thrashing of Everton, which took Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is confident that 3-4-3 remains the right formation for his side despite their midweek EFL Cup exit. After arriving in the summer, the 47-year-old utilised a 4-5-1 in his opening few games but despite a bright start, his team’s defensive foibles were soon exposed.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he always respects the opposition, beginning with West Ham on Wednesday night.
Chelsea were in shambles last season and many football lovers could not believe the happenings at the club and to the die-hard fans of the Blues it was full of disappointment for them in a view of a club which was heralded few months ago for winning the title under same manager in Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists he never wanted to leave the club despite speculation over his future.
The Spaniard has been at the centre of transfer talk, having played just 32 minutes in the Premier League under Antonio Conte this season.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes fellow Italian Antonio Conte will prove a success at Chelsea as the two teams prepare to meet in the EFL Cup.